Apparatus for drying malt.



W. H. PRINZ. APPARATUS FOR DRYING MALT. APPLIOATION mum snrr. 8, 1903.

937, 01 1'. A Patented Oct. 12, 1909.

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W. H. PRINZ. APPARATUS FOR DRYING MALT.

1 APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1903. Patented Oct.

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' W. H. PRINZ. APPARATUS .FOR DRYING MALT.

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Patented Oct. 12,1909.

WILLIAM H. PRINZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR DRYING MALT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. September 8, 1903. Serial No. 172,269.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. PRINZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Malt, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to apparatus for drying malt, and has for its object to provide improved apparatus for that purpose which will overcome the principal objections incident to the use of kilns of the common type,

in which hot air for drying purposes is passed through the malt on floors arranged one above another, so that the air passes successively through the malt on the different floors, carrying the moisture taken up from one to the next,the result being that when the air reaches the malt on the last floor it is frequently surcharged with moisture, and consequently is ineffective for drying. purposes.

By my invention I'provide for treating the malt, in its dilferent stages of drying, at all times with fresh air which may be heated to any desired temperature. I also provide means whereby the air used in the finishing stage of the process may be heated to a higher temperature than that used for withering.

My improved drying-apparatus consists of a plurality of rotatable compartmentssuch as drums or cylindersadapted to receive the malt,certain of said compartments being withering-compartments and certain others finishing-compartments. Suitable means are provided for supplying fresh hot air to the withering compartment or compartments, and for supplying fresh hot air at a higher temperature to the finishing compartment or compartments. Any desired number of withering and finishing compartments may be employed. Suitable mechanism is provided for causing a circulation of air through the difierent compartments, and also for conducting the malt from the withering to the finishing compartments. The drums may be rotated by any suitable mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of one of the withering drums; Fig. 2 is a sectional detail of the central part of the casing of the drum which forms the shell of the intermediate compartment; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of a building adapted to contain the drying-apparatus, consisting of the withering and finishing drums; Fig. 4 isa horizontal section of the floor above that shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section,

Patented Got. 12, race.

illustrating one of the valves for controlling V the direction of flow of the air.

The withering and finishing drums are identical in construction, so that a description of the eneral construction of one of them will sufiice for both.

In Fig. 3, A indicates the withering-drum, and B the finishing-drum. CD indicate compartments in the ends of each drum,

said compartments being separated by an ilptermediate compartment E, as shown in 10 indicates the casing or shell of the compartment C: 11 indicates the casing or shell of the compartment D. The casings 1011 are perforated, as illustrated in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, said casings are secured at their inner ends to heads 1213, respectively, which are rigidly connected together by plates 14.

15l6 indicate the heads at the outer ends of the compartments CD, respectively.

17 indicates the shell or casing of the compartment E, which is composed of a series of overlapping plates 18, the edges of which are fitted between outer and inner annular flanges l920, respectively, projecting inwardly from the heads 1213 near the periphery thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. The edges of the plates 18 fit loosely between said flanges 19-20, so that the heads 12-18 may rotate freely independently of said plates.

2l22 indicate outer and inner tongues at opposite ends of each of the plates 18, as

shown in Fig. 2, so that said plates when fitted together form a continuous matched series of overlapping plates. Each of said plates is slightly concavo-convex, to form a circular casing for the intermediate compartment E. The lower portion of said casing engages closely a conduit 23, which projects into the compartment E, fitting closely between the heads 1213, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to form a substantially air-tight connection. The object of arranging the plates 18 in the manner described is to form substantially air-tight connection between the said plates and the heads 1213,since, by the construction described, whether the circulation of the air be effected by pressure or by suction, said plates, being radially movscribed.

able, are held closely in contact with the inner or outer flanges 1920, as the case may be, by the pressure of the air: consequently the casing of the intermediate compartment automatically adjusts itself accordingly as the pressure of the air may vary, insuring a practically air-tight closure at all times.

The casings 1011 of the compartments CD rotate in unison independently of the casing 17 of compartment E, since they are connected by the plates 14, as above de- In order that they may rotate freely, they are supported on rollers (not shown) carried by supports 24,annular rails 25 being provided to rest upon said rollers, substantially as described in my application for patentfor malting-apparatus, Serial Number 170,414, filed August 22,1903 (Case A). The drum is preferably rotated by means of worms 26 engaging wormwheels 27, as shown in Fig. 1, but any other suitable driving-mechanis1n may be em ployed.

28 indicates a manhole in one of the plates 18, which is closed by a suitable cover.

293O indicate manholecovers for manholes in the casings 10-11.

31-32 indicate perforated conduits, which extend axially through the compartments CD,their ends being secured in the heads 15 12 and 16-13, respectively.

33 indicates a conduit, which is provided at its upper end with a T 34,the latter connecting with an external extension 35 of the conduit 31. The extension and T 34 are connected by a collar 35, which fits over abutting flanges carried by said members, so as to tightly connect them without interfering with the rotation of the drum. Similarly, a conduit 37 is provided at the op posite end of the drum, and is connected by a T-connection 38 with an extension 39 of the conduit 32,such connection being formed by means of a collar 40. The conduit communicates with a tunnel 41, and the conduit 37 with a. tunnel 42.

43 indicates a tunnel communicating with the conduit 23.

4445 indicates chutes, placed under the compartments CD, respectively, in posi tion to register with the manholes therein, for conducting the malt discharged therefrom to elevators 46, shown in Fig. 3. Said elevators are ordinary bucket elevators of the well known type, or, if desired, the malt may be drawn up by suction, or may be transported by any other suitable means.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the tunnels 414243 extend under the floor on which are placed the drums A-B. Between said drums heating-coils 47 4849 are provided in said tunnels,said coils being heated by live steam, or other equivalent means, so that the air flowing in said tunnels in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 is further heated after passing the conduits which lead to the compartments in the drmn i-k,consequently, the air supplied to the compartments in the finishing-drum B is at. a higher temperature than that supplied to the withering-drum A.

5051 indicate conveyors, extending under the malt-compartments of the drum B, for carrying off the finished malt.

525354 indicate flues, leading from the tunnels 414243, respectively, to a freshair room F located on an upper floor. Said room contains a steam-coil 55, or other equivalent means, for heating the air therein, and is arranged to extend across the room, so that air passing through said room is compelled to come in contact with said coil.

56 indicates a partition which extends across the room F, separating the room F from a room G which contains an exhaust fan 57.

58 indicates an opening in the partition 50. here the fan exhausts into the room G, an opening in the partition alone is sutiicient. As shown in Fig. 4, the heating coil 55 lies between the opening 58 and the upper ends of the flues 52-53 54, so that air passing from the room G or fan 57 to the tines 52 necessarily passes through the coil 55 where it is heated to the desired temperature.

GO61 indicate openings in the wall of the room Gr, through which external air is admitted thereto. Said openings are provided with valves 62, of the ordinary butterfly type.

63-64 indicate openings in the floor of the room G, which afl'ord communication between said room and the room below in which the drum B is placed. Preferably, the floor below is divided by a partition (35 into two rooms H-I, respectively, containing the drums AB. The partition (15 is provided with openings 6G(37, so that air may pass freely from the room H to the room I.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the openings 6364 are placed near one of the walls (58 of the building,said wall being provided with an opening 69 near each of said openings 63-64, as shown in Fig. Butterfly valves 70 are provided for controlling the flow of air through the openings 63G-'1- and 69, as described in my application tiled the 22d day of August, 1903, Serial Number 170,414 (Case A). By means of the valves 70, the air rising from below may be directed outside of the building through the openings 69, or may be directed into the upper room G, as desired.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The exhaust fan being set in motion, air is drawn up from below through openings 63-G4, passing either into room G or in part outside the building. according as the valve 70 is set. The suction thus created part of the hot air rises into the different compartments, which are. rotated slowly. The air enters each of the malt-compartments CD at both ends,being supplied to the conduits 3132 at their inner ends from intermediate compartment E. By means of said conduits 3l32 the air is uniformly distributed throughout the length of the compartments CD, passing out through the malt and escaping through the perforations in the casings of the drum into room H. It then passes through openings 66-67 in the partition 65, and finally reaches the openings 6364,completing the circuit. That part of the hot air that does not rise through conduits 23, 33, 37 passes on through the tunnels 4142-43,being heated by the coils 474849 to a higher temperature before it reaches the corresponding conduits of drum B. Here the same operation is repeated, except that the air employed is at a higher temperature. When it is desired to re-use all, or a part of, the air, it may be accomplished by setting the valves 70 to close, or partly close, the openings 69.

lVhen the malt in the drum A has been properly withered, it is discharged through chutes 4445 which connect with the elevators 46, and by said elevators is carried up and discharged into the drum B through chutes 7172, shown in Fig. 4. Said chutes are of the usual type.

Owing to the resistance of the malt the pressure in the intermediate compartment E is considerable, but whether such pressure be great or small, there is no material loss of air around the casing-plates 18,-since slight pressure would not suffice for the escape of air between said plates and the inner flanges 20, and greater pressure would force said plates out against the outer flanges 19, thereby forming substantially airtight closures at the side edges of said plates, as well as between consecutive plates.

My invention is not restricted to the specific details of the construction described, except in so far as they are particularly claimed, as various modifications may be made. For example, instead of forcing the air into the drums axially thereof and directing it outward through the malt, the operation may be reversed by re-arranging the fan and heating-devices so as to cause the air to circulate in the opposite direction. An apparatus for this purpose is shown in my application for patent, Serial Number 170,415, filed August 22, 1903, (Case B).

That which I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

1. A drying apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt receptacles, means for supplying heated air, a conduit communieating with said heated-air supplying means and connected separately with a plurality of lsaid malt receptacles, and additional means in said conduit between said receptacles for supplying air through said conduit at different temperatures to different receptacles.

2. A drying apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt receptacles, means for supplying heated air, a conduit communicating with said heated-air supplying means and connected separately with a plurality of said malt receptacles, and additional means in said conduit between said receptacles for supplying air through said conduit at different temperatures to different receptacles.

3. A drying apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt receptacles, means for supplying heated air, a conduit communicating with said heated-air supplying means and connected in succession with a plurality of said malt receptacles, and additional means in said conduit between said receptacles for supplying air through said conduit at different temperatures to different receptacles.

4. A drying-apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt receptacles, a heated air supply, a conduit coimnunicating with said heated air supply and connected separately with a plurality of said malt receptacles, means for varying the temperature of the air supplied to certain of said receptacles, and an elevator for transferring malt from one of said receptacles to the other.

5. A drying-apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt-holding receptacles, airheating means, an air-tunnel adapted to receive heated air from said heating means communicating with said receptacles, and heating-means in said tunnel between said receptacles, substantially as described.

6. A drying-apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of receptacles, each having a plurality of malt-holding compartments, means for heating air, a plurality of airtunnels communicating with the malt-holding compartments in said receptacles, and heating-means in said tunnels between said receptacles.

7. A drying-apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality of malt-holding receptacles, air-heating means, tunnels connecting the ends of each of said receptacles, air-heating means between said receptacles, flues conmeeting said first mentioned air-heating means with said tunnels, and means for causing the air to flow through said tunnels and malt-holding receptacles, substantially as described.

v 8. A drum having heads provided with inner and outer flanges forming annular grooves, and overlapping plates loosely fitted in said grooves, substantially as described.

0fan0n'-r0tary casing composed of aseries of j movable plates, inner and outer flanges j adapted'to engage the edges otsaid plates and means IQrsub 'ectmg said plates to airf pressure;'substantially as described." i "121' A drying apparatus for ma'lt,fc01 n'prising a plurality t malt-holdingreceptacles, means for supplying heated air, one or more air can duits communicating with a plurality of; said malt-holding reeeptac'les for; conducting heatedain thereto, and additienal means in""sa id airconduits between said receptacles for: supplying air through said ico'nduiit at different temperatures to different receptacles." I 1 3; A drying apparatusifer malt, cOm-prising a plurality of drums having malt-holdiiig' 'compartments, a fresh air robin; means therein-forheating airy; means for supplyii 5 aifr" frem said room todifferent; ldruins', ad1iuoaa1 heating means for Varying the temperature of the air supplied to certain of said] drums, and means for transferring malt fro'mene' (if said drums te anether. 145. A dryinQapparatus for1nalt',*cemprising a plurality (if malth'ol ding receptacles,

freni said roem to said receptacles means for 'heatin'gtlie airst'ipplied tesaid recepta- "cles; a dfditional' heating means, for varying the temperature of-the air supplied t'ocert ain of said receptacles, and means tortrans- "HELEN COLLIN.

fer-ring malt from one of said receptacles to theother. I

'15. A drying apparatusformalt,comprising a plurality of malt-holding receptacles havingexternally-perforated shells, a freshbetween said receptacles for supplying air at"diflerent"temperatures to different receptaeles. r J

161 A drying apparatus for malt, comprising a plurality; of externallyperforated maltholding'receptacles air heating111eans,mea1'1s l for supplying ainfrem'saidheating means tO 'the"d1iferent receptacles, and additional heating means between said receptacles -for supplying" air at diflerent temperatures to different receptacles."

V 17; Adrying"apparatus for malt, comprising a vl'uralitj 0t indepemlently-retatable cxtern'ally perforated' malt-holding receptacles', air-heatingmeans, means forsupplying HYIEI'OIHSZUCl heatlngmeans t0 sa1dre- 'cept'acl'es', and additional heating means between said receptacles for supplying air at differenttemperatures t0 (hfierent receptacles. 1

" i '18." A drying apparatus for malt, coinprisingfa plurality of 'iinlependent]yabtatah]e extern'ally per'fo"ated malt-holding recepta cl'es," a freshair rdem,"air-heating means therein; means forcondneting air from said N room. t0"-'sa1d receptacles, and additional l heating means betweensaid'receptacles for supplymga'n" atkl fl erent temperatures to d lie'rent receptacles. i

WVILLLXB'IHI'I. PRINZ. M 

